The Cadet's Origin

Chapter Ten - Trainees

"You there," Shadis had been making his rounds for a while, but he had finally made it to someone that Kenna knew. She felt bad for poor Armin.

"Yes, sir," Armin said as he saluted.

"Who are you?" Shadis asked.

"Armin Arlert, from Shiganshina!" Armin said.

"Yeah?" Shadis leaned down to get in Armin's face. "That's a stupid name. Your parents give you that?"

"My grandfather did, sir," Armin said.

"Arlert, what are you doing here?" Shadis asked.

"Trying to aid in humanity's victory, sir!" Armin said.

"That is indeed wonderful," Shadis stood straight up. "You'll be nice snack for the Titans." He moved on to the next person. "Row 3, about face! Who are you?"

"Thomas Wagner, from Trost," the boy said.

"I can't hear you!" Shadis yelled.

"Thomas Wagner from..." the boy was louder.

"Too soft! Go practice in the cattle shed!" Shadis moved on to his next target. "You next."

"Mina Karolina from Karanes, sir," the girl with thick pony tails said as she saluted.

"You are from a pig shed and worth less than cattle," Shadis said.

The girl had no choice but to agree with him, 'Yes, sir! I am less than cattle!"

Shadis moved on to his next victim, "You, next!" Kenna was honestly impressed with the man's ruthless efficiency. Though, she figured she shouldn't be. He did get this job for a reason.

"Yes, sir!" the boy saluted. "Samuel Linke-Jackson, from Snate Village!"

"A horrible name! Change it now!" Shadis said with no hesitation. Kenna wanted to laugh at the quick change, but she held it in. She had no doubt that Shadis would turn his attention to her, and she wasn't sure she wanted that. "What are you doing here?!"

"Sacrificing myself for humanity!" Samuel said.

"Row 4, about face!" Shadis turned to his next victim. It was a taller boy with a smug look on his face. "Who are you?!"

"Jean Kirschstein, from Trost!" the boy said as he saluted.

"What are you doing here?!" Shadis asked/yelled at him.

"Joining the Military Police for a life deep within the wall," Jean said. Kenna didn't exactly like Jean's tone about the situation, but she couldn't exactly blame him. Life in the interior was the dream for almost everyone who lived in the walls.

"Oh, I see you want access to the Interior?" Shadis's voice was unusually calm and quiet. Kenna wondered what Shadis had in store for Jean.

"Yes!" Jean said. Kenna was sure that he regretted that answer as soon as it left his mouth. Shadis rammed his head into Jean's face and the boy went straight down.

"Who said you could sit down?!" Shadis yelled at Jean. "Anyone who can't handle this will never make it into the Military Police!" He looked at the boy right next to Jean. That boy looked a lot nicer than Jean to Kenna. "Who are you?! What are you doing here?!"

"Marco Bott, Jinae City, Wall Rose South District!" the boy said as he saluted. "I want to join the Military Police to offer the King my body and self in service!" Kenna's eyes slightly widened at the boy's sincere fervor. It was a bit too intense for her liking, but she could respect the commitment.

Even Shadis seemed not to know what to do with that, "Really, I'm glad to hear that. Good luck. However, the King doesn't want your body." He looked towards a boy a few row back. The boy had a buzzcut. "Next, you! Who are you?!"